Gym-to-Crag Clinic

Gym-to-Crag clinics are for gym climbers who are experienced with gym climbing, and have perhaps even climbed a bit outdoors. In this clinic you’ll build on the foundation of skills that you’ve built in the gym, and learn to translate those into an outdoor setting where the rope isn’t already hanging up when you arrive. The goal is to learn new techniques from our professional rock climbing guides, so that you can begin to make more responsibility for your climbing experience.

You’ll also learn invaluable skills for belaying outside, protecting your gear, using traditional protection in multipoint anchors. And of course, we’ll get some great climbing in – making sure to help you hone your movement and technique for real rock. Smith has climbs to push every level of climber and challenge you to improve your climbing.

Skills that you’ll build:

Lead Belaying

Cleaning anchors

Rappelling with backups

Footwork and movement technique

Terminology

Gear maintenance

Building basic and complex anchors

You may join us for Our rock climbing guides tailor this day to your background. We spend as much time on the rock as possible in an area packed with climbs suited to your level of experience.

In addition to providing a fun day, our guides will provide expert instruction on your climbing movement, foot-work, and balance. They will also teach specific hand-grips for the variety of holds – from jugs to crimps – that you’ll encounter in vertical terrain. On this jam-packed day you’ll learn and practice belaying, and you’ll have the opportunity to rappel and learn about rope management.

We have been guiding rock climbing in Smith Rock for over thirty years and our guides provide expert instruction with a level of experience and training that is unmatched in the area. Smith Rock is an area known for technical climbing. Our intimate knowledge of the thousands of climbs in the park gives us the unique ability to find climbs and areas that are well suited to your level of experience.

Our guides are also great at adapting your itinerary to weather conditions: We know where and when to find shade in the Summer and sunshine during the cooler Spring and Fall climbing season. We also know which crags are sheltered from the occasional summertime squall to keep you climbing throughout the day. That level of experience and knowledge sets our guides apart and ensures that you have a great learning experience and a full day of fun.